The Topping Fold experience - how to engage with the community whether they want to or not! - Elizabeth Binns & David Fielding 

I don't know what I was expecting from this talk, but it certainly wasn't what I got - it was better! This was a truly inspirational talk on the problems of getting a disinterested society interested. It encouraged us to look at a 'library' from all angles and not just in the conventional sense. The library that Topping Fold now has, doubles up as a community centre. It is the hub of the community and is well used by varying members of the estate.

The achievements of the staff there are phenomonal and they have done such a good job, it made me wish I worked there! They have never had it easy and have been met with many difficulties and disgruntled members of the community, but have overcome every challenge. Public opinion has always been at the forefront of everything the staff have done, and even though mistakes have been made (and they will be the first to admit it), these mistakes have been learned from and rectified.

Elizabeth was interesting, warm and witty, and her best piece of advice when trying to get peoples attention?...good quality chocolate biscuits! I'll have to remember that if the need arises in the future!

Catherine Coulson